Suns Provide Injury Updates on Chris Paul, Deandre Ayton

Phoenix is on the brink of elimination in its Western Conference semifinal playoff series against the Nuggets.

The Suns’ dire situation in the Western Conference semifinals has gone from bad to worse.

Phoenix guard Chris Paul will miss Game 6 against the Nuggets with a left groin strain, the Suns announced Wednesday evening. Additionally, center Deandre Ayton is questionable with a rib contusion, according to the team.

Denver leads the best-of-seven series, 3-2.

Paul has been out of action since straining his groin in Game 2 of the series in a contest Denver won 97-87 to take a 2-0 lead. Phoenix recovered to wins Game 3 and 4 at home without him but now is facing elimination after dropping Game 5, 118-102, in Colorado on Tuesday night.

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Ayton, on the other hand, has struggled mightily against Nuggets center Nikola Jokić, bottoming out with just four points in Game 3. He has seen his minutes diminish as the Suns have leaned heavily on center Jock Landale.

Paul and Ayton averaged 13.9 and 18 points per game in the regular season, respectively.

Denver can eliminate the Suns on Thursday night at the Footprint Center. Tip off is 10 p.m. ET in Phoenix.